Arunachal BJP president shares fake images of IAF strike

Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Tapir Gao allegedly shared fake images showing dead bodies claiming them to show the impact of the Indian Air Force’s strike in Pakistan’s Balakot.

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An unverified Facebook account of Tapir Gao shared the images on March 2, claiming them as being released by BBC showing the bombarded Jaish-e-Mohammed camp at Balakot, Pakistan by the Indian Air Force.

Since the early hours of February 26, social media users are seen spreading misinformation and fake news, trying to pass off old photos and videos as recent ones. Some sections of the Pakistan media are also reported to have shared fake news.

The set of images, showing mass destruction and dead bodies, are being widely shared on WhatsApp along with messages that claim that these images show the impact of the IAF air strike.

Social media users slammed Gao for sharing these images. They asked the state BJP president to refrain from spreading falsehood and resign from his position. “These are Google screenshots. Not from the Balakot air strike. Being an ex-MP and present BJP chief, Tapir Gao should not indulge in circulating fake images,” wrote Likha Tara.

The News Mill tried to contact Gao for a comment but couldn’t be reached till the filing of this story. The story will be updated once we hear anything from him.

Google reverse-image search showed some of the photographs being related to the destruction caused by an earthquake that jolted Balakot in 2005, while others are from different incidents that happened years ago.

SpeedNews Desk at thenewsmill.com has the strongest nose for news. The News Mill is a Guwahati-based new-media house with focus on disseminating news through the newest form of media. Here's an effort to bring together the best of the news from across the Northeast, in a fresh new format. The editor can be reached through [email protected]